Bowling alley bed



July 23, 1940. ca. 0. DEBAY BOWLING ALLEY BED Filed June 12, 1937 4 Sheets-i3heet 1 m ATTORNEY P IIKWNIIMW llllllllllllllll Ill! w nq W MN n m m T 1111111111 ivlllw F llhlllllll Q\\ g July 23, 9 G. c. DEBAY BOWLING ALLEY BED Filed June 12, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 n :9; (fear e C. Deba y I m ATTORNEY.

fi J J i I I I I I i l I ll.

rlllillllllll 3 Th l l l l l l l hl lfllfi l I] ii .I II I I IH 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Gear e C Being/ 9 BY ATTORNEY.

July 23, 1940. G. c. DEBAY BOWLING ALLEY BED Filed June 12, 1937 July 23, 1940. G. DEBAY Y BOWLING ALLEY BED Filed June 12, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. BY 602296 ['1 917115 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 23, 1940 BOWLING ALLEY BED 7 George C. Debay, Angeles, Ga IifQ Application June 12, 1937, Serial No. 147,981 1 Claim. (01. 273-51 This invention relates to a bowling alley of standard size but of a construction that makes it suitable for outdoor as well as for indoor use. The construction is such as will permit the entire bowling alley to be taken apart and reassembled. The alley is made up of sectional parts,

each part having means to rigidly hold it to its neighboring part in a manner. to assure an even and fiushrolling surface equivalent to a monolithic-like structure, or a structure made of integral parts.

Means are provided in association with the me-' tallic parts of the bowling alley to absorb the metallic sound and thus make such an alley practically as noiseless as the ordinary alley built of cient resiliency to absorb shocks and greatly re duce the amplitude of the sound waves which would ordinarily be set up by metallic plates.

Most any kind of metal may be employed in the construction of the bowling alley whether the surface is treated or not to hinder the action. of the atmospheric elements. The inventor, however, prefers to use Monel metal ,or stainless steel for the reason that these metals can be easily washed and kept clean. Such metals and their derivatives, when washed in the simplest manner, can be thoroughly cleaned and their bright lustre retained indefinitely.

The prime object of the invention is the pronoiseless and sound-proof as well as impervious to and unaffected by the elements such as moisture, wind, heat, dust, dirt, etc.

Another object is to provide a structure of the foregoing type so constructed and arranged as to be composed of a plurality of sections or units, each provided with interlocking means at its ends so that the units can be rigidly secured together to form a unitary whole while at the same time being capable of being easily and quickly disconnected or dismantled when necessary or desirable for transportation or storage.

A further object is to provide, in a structure of the above type, means at, or near, the abutting ends of the units for maintaining these units in perfect surface alinement so that when assembled for use a smooth unbroken playing surface bility and efiiciency and of a very attractive appearance.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter and, while I have shown and will describe the preferred form of my invention, it will be understood thatI do not limit myself to such preferred form but that various changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention. No limitations Whatever are to be placed upon 'my invention except those expressed in the dependent claim.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof: V 1

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a double bowling alley constructed according to my invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure dis a top plan playing field or runway.

Figure 5 is a' right hand end elevation of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a transverse section of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a section on the line 1-1 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of a portion of my structure.

Figure 10 is a schematic transverse diagram of Figure. l.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary View (top plan) showing the connection between the abutting ends of two of the units forming my structure.

Figure 12 is a section taken substantially along the line l2l2 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a left hand elevation of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a section on the line l4-l4 of Figure 11.

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the method of assembling the elements of my device.-

Figure 16 shows a perspective view of a modified of one of the sections of form of the invention with the floor plate re- Numeral l represents a twin set of bowling alleys; this particular illustrated structure having the usual alley back-stop sub-structure comprising end walls 2 and 3 fixed to dividing partitions 4, 5 and 6. The partition 5 separates two adjoining spill and scatter compartments 1 and 8 and generally has supports or has juxtaposed thereto the raised portion 9 of a ball return track I 0. This track, at the other end of the alley, has another raised portion II of sufiicient length to accommodate any number of balls desired for use in both alleys. A ball stop |2 is employed at this end andmay be faced with any suitable material to absorb the shock of balls which may strike it. Inclines l3 and M are provided connecting the track with raised portions 9 and H, the raised portion 9 being of higher elevation than ortion I I to assure full return of the balls.

The spill and scatter compartments 1 and 8 have pits or sunken portions l5 and I6 which have floors ll and [8 of earth or ofa construction like the runway or alley floor units to be presently described. The pit wall I9 is provided which may be of any material suitable for the purpose.

The numeral 20 indicates the playing field, runway, slideway or rolling surface of the bowling alley, one end of which, indicated by 2|, is a space for setting up wooden or metallic pins to-be struck down by wooden or metallic balls as in the game of ninepins or tenpins. It is here understood, however, that the runway or slideway 211 is a surface over which any object, missile or the like may be rolled, slid or projected and further, the objects to be struck may be of any kind or nature; The inventor is .well aware of the fact that the elements and apparatus herein described may not necessarily be limited to the game of tenpins.

Lengthwise upon either or both sides of the runway or slideway 2B are gutters 22 and 23 for arresting the ball or balls and leading them to the pit I6. Low partitions or barriers 23a prevent the balls from leaving lateral edges of the alley when rolled hard toward the gutters.

- -The playing field or runway 2|] is composed of a plurality of sections or units 24, as shown in section in Figures 7 and 12, each comprising a rectangular plate 25, preferably of metal, although any other desired or suitable material may be used, the upper face of which forms the playing field or runway. Rigidly secured along the longitudinal edges of plate 25, on the underside thereof, are angle irons or inverted L-shaped supporting members 26 and 21, the downwardly depending legs of which are flush with the longitudinal edges of plate 25 and the horizontal legs ofv which extend inwardly towards each other.

, These members 26 and 21 project for a short distance beyond one traverse end of plate 25 and are inset a similar distance from the other traverse end of said plate. Rigidly secured along the traverse edges of plate 25 on the underside thereof and between the ends of members 26 and 2'! are traverse connecting members 28 and 29, these members 28 and 29 forming with members 26 and 21 a substantially, rectangular frame upon which plate 25 is mounted, this frame being of the same size and shape as plate 25, and may be, if desired, welded or otherwise rigidly fabricated together. Extending lengthwise of plate 25, centrally thereof, is a T-shaped supporting beam or member 30, the ends of which may be welded or otherwise connected to the cross members 28 and 29. It will be noted that by this construction two parallel, longitudinally extending, downwardly opening recesses or pockets 3| and 32 are formed or provided on the underside of plate 25, and in these pockets or recesses are positioned the sound absorbing or deadening means 33 and 34 of rock wool, glass wool, steel wool, fabricated cotton or pulp boards or any other suitable or desired material. Secured at suitable intervals to the downwardly depending legs of the supporting members 26, 21 and 30 are brackets 35 and 35a and screwthreadedly mounted in these brackets are screws 36. Extending transversely beneath the sound absorbing or deadening means 33 and 34 and reaching between opposed brackets 35 and 350. are supporting plates 31 and 31a, the ends of which rest upon the upper ends of the screws 36 and provide means for supporting the sound absorbing means in firm contact with the plate 25. Any number of these supporting plates may be employed, the number to some extent depending upon the sound absorbing material used. Rigidly secured to the members 26 and 21, at one end thereof are blocks 4!], see Figure 11, through which are provided over-bored angularly extending holes 4|. These blocks may be of any suitable material, but metal is preferred. Rigidly secured to the opposite ends of. said members 26 and 21 are similar blocks 42 through which. are provided angularly disposed, screw threaded holes 43, these blocks and holes being so arranged that when the units are assembled for use the holes 4| and 43 are in longitudinal alinement and a screw 44, passing therethrough, provides means for drawing the abutting ends of the units together and holding the same in correct alinement, the holes 4| being of a size sufficient to permit the screw 44 .to move sidewise therein. A beveled washer 45 is provided between the head of the screw 44 and block4|l to compensate for the angular difference between the face of said block 4|] and the bearing face of the head of the screw 44. Slots 43a are provided in the downward legs of the angle irons 26 and 21 for the entrance of a wrench to engage the head of the screw 44.

The gutter members 46, see Figure 9, are preferably formed of sheet metal although any other suitable or desired material may be used, the central portion of which is bent or otherwise formed into a trough 41, the material along one side of which is bent downwardly to provide a downwardly depending integral flange 48 in which are formed, at suitable intervals, downwardly opening slots 49 adapted to be fitted over the headed studs 50, projecting outwardly from the outer faces of the supporting angle iron members 26 and 21, and be supported and held positioned thereby. Along I the opposite edge of trough 41 is formed an outwardly extending horizontal flange 5| and along the outer edge of this flange 5| is formed an upstanding rim 52. The partitions 23a, are preferably formed of sheet metal or any other suitable or desired material and are bent or otherwise formed into a substantial inverted U-shape in transverse section having a fiat top 53, one of the downwardly depending legs 54 resting upon the flange 5|, inclosing rim 52 and being normally secured thereto. The other leg 55 is similarly connected tothe gutter of the next adjoining alley, if there is one, otherwise a suitable support or connection will be'pr'ovided.

The ball returns are preferably composed of two companion members identically formed but reversed as to each other when assembled for use. These members are preferably formed of sheet metal or other desired or suitable material and are bent or otherwise bent or formed to provide a narrow central portion 55 along one edge of which is a downwardly depending right angled leg 51 arranged to normally rest upon the flange 5| of the gutter or trough 41 inclosing the upstanding rim E2 and being normally secured thereto. Along the opposite edge of the portion 56 is an angularly, downwardly depending portion 58, the lower termination of which is bent to form a narrow vertically extending rim 5%. At suitable intervals these opposed rims59 will be connected by transversely extending U-shaped tie members 60 to form a trough or runway, the sides of which extend angularly and downwardly towards each other to provide accommodations for varying sizes of playing balls. These gutters or troughs,

together with the runways, will be made in lengths substantially equal to the lengths of the playing field units 24 for ease of transportation or storage and the abutting ends will be connected in any suitable or desired manner to insure correct alinement.

Suitable means, such as screw jacks or the like, may be provided, if found desirable or necessary, to assist in leveling or alining the device, or any other means may be used.

Provided at suitable intervals through the inner wall of the troughs ll are ventilating openings M5 for the purpose of a circulation of air beneath the units when assembled for use, the purpose of which will be obvious.

Figures 10 and 15 show a traverse sketch of the bowling alley and the approximate position and joints of the various longitudinal parts. For the sake of simplicity, the joints were not shown as touching but, it is obvious, that all the joints and seams must be rigidly held together so that the entire bowling alley and its associate parts are as a single integral unit. As shown in Figure 9, the gutters 4! are held removably fixed to the alley units by bayonet-like slots and headed pins. The adjoining gutters are held together by the interfitting elements which make up the ball return tracks, partitions like 23a interfitting with gutters where ball return tracks are not used. All the joints and seams to be permanently held together are either soldered, welded, bolted or riveted together, preferably welded together. The traverse joints and seams, except the alley floor units, may also be welded, soldered, or riveted where not to be separated but, since all lengths of the various parts are to be removably fixed together for convenience of carrying, and shipping and storing purposes, they are bolted or/ and screwed one to the other or bayonet slots and pins are provided so that they can be latched together.

The modified form of the invention shown in Figures l6, l7 and 18 will now be described.

This form relates to the sectional floor structure and means of supporting and leveling same. Each section or unit which makes up the alley or runway has a rectangular floor plate 10 of suitable metal, fixed to a sub-floor H. The subfloor may be metal or other suitable material cast or fabricated into a single integral or monolithic piece. The material may be pot metal, bauxite or any derivative thereof. Any cheap porous substance may be used which has the requisite stren h and can withstand the climatic conditions wherever it may be employed. This sub-floor is reticulated and formed as a gridiron having pockets or chambers 12 filled with a sound absorbing substance such as asphalt compounds, various wools, or any plastic substance suitable for the purpose. Relatively thin fin-like partitions '54 separate the chambers and provide strength to support the floor plate and the loads and shocks to be expected. Thick flanges 15 and it provide added strength and the means for connecting adjoining sub-floor sections to gether so that their respective floor plates are in perfect alinement to provide an even flush surface for the runways. The flanges 15 and E6 of adjoining floor sections have tongue and groove fit; the flanges l5 being provided with a tongue Ti and flanges 76 with a groove l8. Bores l are provided in the flanges through which pass bolts 8d. Nuts 8! are screwed tightly upon the bolt ends when adjacent floor sections are properly assembled to hold them in perfect alinement. Vertical bores 82 in the flanges receive screws 83 which enter threaded holes 83a in the floor plate and tightly draw the plates down upon the sub-floor structure. Shoulders 84 are provided upon the flanges F5 to form a seat for an under plate 85. Bosses 86, bored and threaded, are integral with the partitions i4 and receive screws 87 which pass through holes in the under plate the screws holding the under plate tightly against the casting H. Casted with the sub-floor elements H are studsor legs 88 depending from the lateral borders thereof. Unthreaded over-bored holes 89 are provided in each leg which loosely receive the ends of bolts 90 having running threads and lock nuts 9!. The

bolt heads 92 rest in an elongated channel 93,

which may be anchored to or merely rest upon concrete posts 94. The concrete posts may be set in the ground at predetermined intervals in alinement, to support the channels 93 substantially level. By adjusting the nuts 9|, the floor plates can then be accurately leveled and thus present a perfect floor surface for the game of tenpins or for any other purpose.

The channels 93 may be iron, steel, stainless steel or any other material strong enough for carrying the load and shocks. of the floor above. These channels run the entire length of the assembled alley or runway, but may be divided into convenient handling lengths with means for joining them together.

I claim:

In a bowling alley construction having playing surface elements with their edges in abutment to form a continuous alley, a plurality of base sections having their edges in abutment and in alignment with said elements to support them, flanges along the abutting edges of said sections and means provided therein to hold adjoining sections together and also means to hold said elements to said sections, a plurality of pockets in each of said sections, sound absorbing material filling each pocket to maintain contact with the under side of their respective elements, an under plate for each section, threaded means for drawing the plates toward said elements to assure contact of the sound absorbing material against the elements.

GEORGE C. DEBAY. 

